Win a $449 SnapShot Logo branding package from SnapBrand

I am very happy to announce that Paul Ernest of SnapBrand is going to be a guest blogger here. Paul Ernest is an award winning designer whose primary interest outside of design has been photography. After 17 years of building identities and brands for companies such as Disney Cruise Lines, MGM Grand Hotel Las Vegas, Palace of the Lost City Resort & Casino, Atlantis in the Bahamas, Hilton Asian Division, 7-Eleven Food Stores, Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, YMCA and Major Clothing Retailers nationwide, Paul Ernest decided to step from beside the camera to behind the camera. He recently started a new endeavor, SnapBrand.

SnapBrand is a turn-key solution for photographers, who want a fixed package for a fixed budget. You know what you will get and know what you will spend… No open-ended efforts with surprise invoices at the end of the project.

What will Paul teach you? Well he wants your feedback on what you want to learn about branding. The content of his posts will be based partly on what MCP readers want to learn and how they want to grow their branding.

To accomplish this, we need to hear from you. And in return you may be the lucky winner (who will be picked at random) of their entry package called SnapShot Logo (if you win – you may upgrade to a bigger package as well and pay the difference). This is a $449 value. The prize includes:

Prebranding Questionnaire

1 Hour Meeting

2 Logo Options

1 Set of Revisions w/Client Communication

Digital Files

To enter for this prize and also shape what Paul will be teaching, please comment in the “comment box” on this post below.

To be eligible for the random drawing on Sunday, March 15th, please answer the following:

– What is the biggest challenge you have in growing your brand and what are your barriers in taking your brand to the next level? What do you feel you have done right or wrong in the past regarding branding? In the coming months, what would you like Paul of SnapBrand to teach you about logos, branding and how you are viewed in the marketplace?

Comments

My biggest challenge in growing my brand is the creativity part. I want to make the right choice not based on what I like but what would be best for my company. What will catch on, what will catch a person eyes and heart! I think I’ve done well at getting my brand out there in networking, but I think I’ve not been settled in an exact brand that I’ve flip flopped too much. I’d like Paul to teach us: What can we do to help a person create a good logo for us, what’s important about it and what is not and is simpler really better in logos? Thanks again for the great opportunity

Challenge in growing my branding is making it truly what I’m about and why I do what I love, and being able to identify that. It’s easy to know and say what you are about but making that into an icon takes a special creative person to develop.
What I’ve done right is having the statement of why I’m passionate about being a photographer and why I’ve made this change in careers. What I’ve done wrong is simple, I don’t have the right ‘brand’ in place yet.
I’d like Paul to teach us about how to use our brand/logo properly. With all the technology, photos, and marketing pieces how do you apply and place it so it becomes an instant identifier of your business but not over do it either.
I’m so excited about this contest, thank you!!!

We have tried really hard to design our branding to reflect our personalities. How do we set ourselves apart from the rest without being too over the top? How do we get people to remember our branding and always associate it with us? I don’t think we’ve gotten there yet. Thanks for this awesome post!

My challenge…. is to be able to best express what I love and what I do best and have it convey to everyone. I fear that I will be trapped in one genre if I do not brand correctly but where is that line? My barriers are perhaps not knowing the next step to take, so I feel stuck in the spot that I have last reached. I want to grow and show what it is that my company is all about. As far as what I feel I have done right is to concentrate on what I do best and when it comes to stepping out of the box I strive to learn it before I market it. I would love to know exactly what a logo says at first glimpse, I know how I feel but I would love to learn how to put myself in the best possible position with a logo and branding.
Thank you, Thank you!!!

My biggest challenge is not really knowing if I am being consistent. I struggle to find the time to get everything done. I’m not sure if mine looks professional enough and if it really shows what I am about.

I’d like him to teach us how to create and use a logo. I’ve created simple ones, but would like a designer to tweak it for me to be better than mine.

My biggest challenge has been completing the whole package. I have had several logos designed and didn’ stick with them because i’m looking for an entire look. I haven’t found that yet. what have I done right in branding? I guess i’m on the right track because i’m searching deeper in myself for what’s meaningful to myself. wrong? not sticking with something long enough to see if it tryly works. would love for paul to give ideas of incorporating my brand across the board and how to get people to take notice of me in the sea of photogs.

The thing that I’m proud to say that I’ve done right is matching my photography style to my brand. My images are fun, modern and unobtrusive to my subjects which is my selling point.

I’d love for Paul to teach us about sales copy and not making it too wordy. Many of my wedding bookings are coming from the groom contacting me first, saying it was his job to find the photographer. Knowing that emotional connections sells, how do I connect with my male customers?

I have many brand challenges, as I a “brand” new at this… so I’m starting from scratch. designing a logo was a huge challenge, in large part because of cost. A friend of mine did some concepts for free, and I picked one because, hey, it was free! But you get what you pay for.

So now, I’m trying to use this logo as much as i can and trying to create my brand in combination with the logo, my photography, and the service I provide. But I’m struggling. I’m simply splashing my logo everywhere I can, whether as a watermark on my protected photos, or as my “profile pic” on Facebook or on T-shirts I wear at assignments. What other concrete steps can I take to grow my brand and make my customers aware of who I am and what i offer? How do I plan for the long-term so that in one or two or five years I am THE photographer in my area? And just how important is my LOGO? Is that something I should invest in further and redesign so that it really fits?

The biggest challenge is trying to create a logo as well as a look and feel on my website that does not look like every other photographer. Your style and pictures can be different but presented in the same exact format as everyone else –you can be lost. So, that has been challenging to create a site they know how to use but yet different.

I had created a simple logo that ironically I just had to change since a large corporation changed theirs and they looked almost identical. I did not want to have my work associated with them so I had to change. So, I think creating too simple of a logo that is easily created/copied with out anyone really knowing it.

I think I would like to learn more about creating a uniqueness in a non-unique market. Also, how to create a brand that reflex your style that will last for years and not look like last year’s trend. Also creating a brand that can evolve as your work evolves for example a brand that works w/ children’s photography and say—commercial or wedding etc.

Thank you for sharing with us! I have been working on my branding ideas, but just don’t have anything that I’m interested in keeping. I feel the brand is extremely important and would love to have a logo to be proud of that I could print onto my packaging materials, etc. I would love to learn more about various ways to use a brand & logo and my next step is definitely to focus on a great brand. I have tried to make my blog and website really reflect my passion and personality, but I know it is lacking a proper brand. Thank you for the opportunity to learn from you and possibly even have my branding completed by you!

My biggest challenge is finding my style and sticking with it. I love so many different styles and like to play around and feel that it probably hinders my branding. My barriers are knowing what to do next. Not knowing the huge effect of branding and not looking at it in more detail is definitely something I’ve done wrong in the past. I’m not sure if I’ve done anything right:) I would love to know more on specific things/steps you can do to get your brand noticed, seen, heard and what he thinks are the most important parts in branding your business.

This could have not come at a better time. I am currently wrestling over my branding/logo possibilities and I do not know where to begin. The biggest challenge I have is finding the balance between being unique and being recognizable. For example, I hesitate using my intials for my logo (because everyone does that) but I don’t want my logo to be some obscure thing that has no relation to my business. Should I re-consider the name of my business to be more brand-friendly, or try to make do with what I have?

I think the hardest part is getting clients to understand BEFORE you shoot what your style is. I take more of a journalist approach, I think that my pics show that, but when I get on the shoot parents are always looking at me wondering why I’m not telling their kid to sit still and say cheese! They get it at the end result, but I need to better portray my style in branding I think! Would love to see what pieces I am missing..handouts, BC’s, etc.

I think the biggest problem I am having is having a brand that is universal enough to use for promotion, packaging,etc. It seems like some colors, logos look good for certain things but not on everything. I would love to hear pointers on using a brand to set yourself apart from everyone else. Thanks I look forward to any information/help in this area.

What is the biggest challenge you have in growing your brand and what are your barriers in taking your brand to the next level?

I feel my greatest challenge in growing my brand is knowing where to start. I have ideas and a style with photos that express my style, but how do I convert that to my brand?

What do you feel you have done right or wrong in the past regarding branding?

I feel like I have been somewhat inconsistent in my effort to brand.

In the coming months, what would you like Paul of SnapBrand to teach you about logos, branding and how you are viewed in the marketplace?

I’d like to know how a photographer can stand out from the crowd and be contemporary, but also be classic enough to “last”. Kind of like the band U2! They’ve withstood the test of time. I’d like my branding and photography to do the same.

My branding challenge is that I am still growing as a artist and photographer. How can I use a brand effectively if I am not specializing in a specific market. I am doing both wedding and lifestyle portaiture. So how can I convey modern romance – when I’m also looking for family clients? How to I attract the high disposable income group through my brand? I think what I’ve done on my own is okay – but in my eyes it will never be polished. I’ve learned that branding is not just a logo, it’s many other things – but how do I pull it all togther?

The barrier I have is that I am always changing my brand and style because I have a hard time finding something that shows my style. Right now, I am still learning and stalking other photographer’s blog site to get ideas. I would love to get some kind of logo for my business and starting making a business plan for myself.

My biggest challenge in branding is getting started. I am new in my photography venture and am looking for the best options for branding. So my challenge is, as a newbie, where should you invest your money and with whom should you trust your branding.

Well, after reading Jasmine Star’s interview, I’ll say that I thought I could do it myself with a logo. She is so right. My second challenge (which is all good and I’m not complaining about these blessings) is my full time job and three kids! I will push through and get this achieved!! Thanks for your wonderful blog!

My biggest challenge is knowing that I want a great brand but not knowing how to get it! I have a current logo that I like, but still feel it is lacking something. But i don’t know what or how to explain what I want. I think one thing I have done right is to chose a logo that is simple and versitile, and I think I have matched my website to that as well. What I think I’m doing wrong is not pursuing more branding avenues and looking at options that I could get from other professionals out there.

What I would like to know is how to define what it is you want in your branding, and how to convey that to the designer.

The biggest challenge is reaching clients within my price point – I guess that’s marketing.
I haven’t done much in the way of branding and probably what I’ve done wrong is doing it all myself without the help of an outside expert.
I’d love to learn more about how to actually make branding a part of my business and how to expand that brand into a wider marketplace.

I would say my biggest challenge right now is finding my, “groove,” and fitting a style to that groove. I think in the past, I have utilized a logo/brand that was quick/convenient. I would love to take this to the next level. I would love for Paul to teach me about logos/branding and how it signifies who you are as a photographer!

I’m not sure if this falls under “branding” but, my biggest challenge thus far is my pricing — and sticking to it. You know what I mean, the occasional and sometimes too frequent request for a “friends discount.” I set my price convincing myself that now I’m rolling with the big dogs, I’m a professional photographer (yay!), only to get side-swiped with an acquaintance who is wanting a “friends discount” which makes us best friends all of a sudden? But, if I don’t oblige then I feel like I’ll lose that gig. Of course, if I do go down on my price then that just shows what a pushover I can be which will only result in a domino effect of other “friends discount.” In this hard economy, I almost cannot afford to lose that gig yet at the same time I cannot afford to do it either. How do I stick to my price yet still land all the gigs, too? I’m confused … and broke! haha!

My biggest challenge would be just trying to figure out what my style is. I still find myself very unsure of what I want people to see, and not what I may want to see. I feel that what I have done right in my current logo would be keeping it simple! The wrong would be doing it myself !
I would love for him to teach on what works, and why it works? Is simple always better?

Ok, so I’m a newbie in photography and web design. I’d love to have a logo, to go with both. A logo would give me a push into professionalism! I’m fresh meat, so I’d like Paul to show me where to begin!!! Please!!!

My biggest obstacle is trying my brand/colors/logo all together. I have a logo I LOVE – and I think it fits me AND my business. But what about color? And packaging? I have read that everything needs to be tied together and consistent, but what specifically does that mean? I think I have a good start, but where do I go from here??

My biggest barrier in creating my brand is ME. I can’t decide on a style. I like so many different things and have trouble committing. I would like to learn if you should stick to your logo or if it can be altered as your business grows.

My biggest problem is me. I’m indecisive and can’t figure out what I want. I’ve finally figured out that the logos I have used are too trendy and not timeless. I want something more timeless that I won’t want to change in six months. I also know enough to know that I know nothing. I can’t figure out the best way to get my brand image out to the public. I know there is more to branding than what your logo looks like. The best way to do that, though, escapes me.

My biggest challenge is creating a brand that defines me as an artist and is easy to recognize. I want something that will scale and translate to my work at the same time. I need something to speak to my work and me as a person.

I haven’t invested the way I should have – I haven’t found an artist that can help me define the look I’m searching for.

I’d love to know the best way to use your logo effectively without saturating the market!

My biggest challenge is trying to develop a brand that will grow with the company and not keep me confined. I really need help on seeing where I want it to go, or maybe how it can grow. Will it be able to or will I have to trash everything when I feel the need to grow? Honestly, I’m not sure what I have done right or wrong.

Some things I would like to learn…
1. How to grow your branding with your company with minimal change or cost.
2. How to clearly define yourself within the market and make yourself stand out in a sea of sameness.
3. When working with someone else on developing a brand/logo, what should you bring to the table? Should you let the designer establish the rough cut and then add your two cents along the way?

My biggest challenge is creating something unique that stands out and represents who I am as a photographer. I have tried to stick with the same brand so that people would recognize it but it seems to get lost. I’d love for Paul to teach us a little bit about what goes into making a logo – I know it starts with a design consultation, but I’d love to hear how long it typically takes him from start to finish. Also I’m interested to know where he gets his inspiration

I am also fairly new to the marketing side of this business,so I would really like Paul help me fine tune my logo/branding to fit my style of photography. I would like it to be timeless & classic, yet different and I would also like to know how to use this effectively in everything I do going forward.

Honestly, I think all of the questions so far have been great and would be wonderful to know.

My biggest challenge in growing my brand and taking it to the next level is doing something different. It is hard to do something new and fresh as there has been so much done and redone. The “Masters” really don’t share how they got there, just that they did, as they want you to buy their market kit.
I know branding is more than just having specific colors and a logo, but I just can’t pinpoint what else and how to get there. Is there more?
I have a logo, however, I don’t know what are the do’s/dont’s in having a logo. I just know what I like.
What I’ve done wrong is not having my log more prominent on my website, however, in my printed materials it is (my kids, family, cat all wear my logo on their shirts).
~Thanks, Cristine

My biggest challenge is finding something that defined me. I need to find my style. I have switched my logo several times and I am just starting my business. I need to find something that catches they eye. I want it to be something different that people will come to know as my brand. I would like to find something and stick to it.

Right now my brand is very simple. It fit my style a year or so ago, but I think my style is slowing becoming something totally different and unique. I would love to see a change that would more reflect my style and target market (seniors!). I’m torn to change it for fear of making it look not quite where I want it. My studio has stepped to the next level and I’m ready to take my brand there. I’m getting some national attention this year already by being interviewed by Rangefinder (watch for me in a future issue!) and Graphic Authority is using my images all over their products. I’m so honored. I want to step up my whole branding look and am not quite sure where to start with it. I feel we have done the right thing with our logo, by sticking to a consistent feel. I need to incorporate the consistency in more of my packaging of my products, advertising, and marketing pieces. I would love to learn how to make myself more noticeable and have people see my brand and KNOW that is a Kim Sparks’ image before they even get to the true logo. I would love to learn all that with branding…So much to learn!!
Thank you, Paul!!! I’ll be looking forward to it!
Kim, Cincinnati, Ohio

My biggest challenge is that I like to do everything myself and I think it might look like I did do it myself. I tend to do stuff more complicated than it needs to be and need to simplify it. I’m still new to the business so I’m trying to find my style and what to even do to start the whole branding process! Thanks!

Right now, I feel like I still NEED a brand. I did a basic logo, but it’s simply text, as I am hopeless with graphics in any computer program. Although I have had client referrals based on the strength of my work, (after getting started with my first wedding shoot in August 2008), I’m getting to the point where I need to present a more professional front. I also feel like I don’t want to invest in more marketing materials (ie. brochures, finishing my website now that I finally have enough images to create a portfolio, etc) until I have a logo I’m happy with.

In terms of what I’m doing right – I’ve started to try and create a definite feel to the images I create and the type of experience I provide, in the hopes that this will help me define the feel of my branding, and give me a better idea of what I want my look to be. (I feel like it’s not much, but it’s a start!)

As someone who doesn’t have a lot of business experience, I always love learning from someone about the branding MINDSET – it’sthe basics to say “you need a logo.” I love getting advice on ways to manage your brand in day to day operation of your business. Suggestions for networking, visibility, and just getting yourself out there in interesting and creative ways would all be appreciated!

Thanks to much to Paul for this giveaway and being willing to share his knowledge – much appreciated!

**Looking forward to hearing more about branding. Definitely an area we need help in!!**

“What is the biggest challenge you have in growing your brand and what are your barriers in taking your brand to the next level?”

= My biggest challenge in growing my brand is inherent in the name I originally chose for the business — Sweet Girl Photo. It sounds good and seems memorable, but I’ve unintentionally limited myself to a certain clientele as a result of it. Even more, there are many search results that come up for my business name, so having an identifiable brand is important to help people know that they’ve come to the right place/website.

What do you feel you have done right or wrong in the past regarding branding?

= Wrong — I’ve changed how I watermark photos twice already and still don’t really like how it comes out. I need to find a form I like and stick to it.
= Right — Invested into photo presentation boxes, fancy ribbons, etc. to communicate the value of product received.

In the coming months, what would you like Paul of SnapBrand to teach you about logos, branding and how you are viewed in the marketplace?

= The pros/cons of various forms of watermarking images with our brands. Is it wise to include a website name or too distracting to the photograph? What does a watermark communicate to others good/bad?
= How integrated does a logo need to be with a business name?
= Is it better to be ‘classic’ or ‘trendy’ when it comes to logos & branding?

I have been in the business of photography for almost a year, now, and I have changed my logo 3 times. I am just never 100% satisfied, I think my brain knows what it wants to look like, but i can’t seem to make it look right……..maybe because I am NOT a graphic designer and have no idea what I am doing I think this package is awesome and I am wishing on my lucky star that I win!

My biggest challenge is even knowing where to begin at this point. I know branding is important and a vital part of any business. I know that branding myself and my business will mold and shape the photographer I become in the future. (Scary) Relatively new to the industry I have found photography to be an oulet for many things. I do not think at this point, I have done any good at branding myself, but feel I haven’t done anything to terribly wrong either. I would describe it as knowing I need to do something, but just stuck in the corner not sure how to turn the corner. I would like to learn in the coming months a simple plan, where do i start, how do i get there, what is the investment going to be, what should i expect along the way, pitfalls to look out for, an expected timeline for completion, expectations for results, how to promote my brand, how to manage my brand once the brand is established, how to insure no-one infringes on my brand and I do not infringe on someone elses. I am very much excited about learning about branding. I appreciate MCP(Jodi) and Snapbrand (Paul) sharing their valuable expertise! Thanks!

My biggest challenge in growing my brand is identifying my brand and getting it out there. I just started my business last year, and since I still have a full time “regular” job I have only recently started devoting serious time and effort into growing my business.

I feel like I have done a good job of hiring someone to design a initial logo for me that helps to create a brand which will help people remember my name and business (my name is Dawn and my logo is of a sunrise – dawn = sunrise). I also try to take a step back and focus on how I photograph and develop my images to stay true to myself and not follow the fad just for the sake of the fad – but also trying to grow, learn, and develop as a photographer along the way.

I would like Paul to teach me how to more closely link myself and my personality with my brand. And how to ensure that when people see my images they think “those are from Dawn McKinstry Photography!”

Thanks so much for this great post. I am just starting my business so I really need help. I don’t know where to begin. It seems that everything I have doesn’t match, my cards are one style, I have stickers another style. I want to create a fresh logo and have no clue how to!

A big challenge in growing a brand is knowing where to start. I am not a designer so it is hard to make a brand that will be great! It is also expensive to pay for one yourself. I would love if he would teach us the small things about logos. How to be a beginner and still have a desent logo! Also, how can different brands help in your marketing.

I kind of feel stifled a bit by my brand because I feel as though my logo isn’t really relaying the message about who I am as a photographer and also my name. There’s a graphic element missing to it. I believe in owning a brand that is unique and distinguishable to me and by my clients. I don’t think I am there yet.

I’m sure I’ve done a ton of wrongs, not sure about the rights. I recently changed my studio name, last June to be exact, dealt with a completely psycho designer that threatened to sue me, yadee,yadee, yaddah! It really made my life miserable for about two months. I wasn’t allowed to make changes as she presented me with a contract after I had sent my funds to her. Not a fun experience. Rights . . . I think I package my things pretty. I’m just at a point where I want all of fluff to be cohesive.

Ultimately, if I won this I would like a new logo and a new message about about what I’m all about and any and all advice about further taking my brand to the next level of recognition.
Thank you , Paul!

My biggest challenge is choosing the appropriate branding for the location where I live and operate. It’s a very rural community. I don’t want to alienate local customers with too haught of a brand, but I know my real customer base is located a distance away in the more suburban areas. There are two other local photographers who are much longer established, but who have done their own branding and who have also tried to be all things to all people. I don’t want to shoot all types of things. I want to specialize in two things that I love and that I know are not strong points for the other photographers in my area. I need people to come to me for my strenghts and my quality. I need my web presence and my community presence to represent the higher quality I produce and show that there is value in getting what you pay for. I also want my branding to represent my two favorite subjects which may or may not be able to be represented in one brand. Things I have done wrong: In the past I have tried to do it myself, but I realized I can not wear too many hats at once. The thing I have done correctly is to continuously improve my skills so that any branding I finally choose will be supported by my work. Hope this makes sense. I think I may be rambling :O) Thanks, Wendi

My biggest challenge is how to communicate all the things I want in a small advertising package (such as a business card, small worded add on a website, etc). I know what I want but don’t have any expertise or pro guidance in how best to deliver it in a professional manner that is brief, concise and impressive.

I believe I have done well in my verbal communications to potential clients what my ‘branding’ is. That being how I work what I do and what they can expect to get from me. First thing that comes to mind that I have done wrong would be my logo as it is homemade and looks like it. I have always been disappointed with it and how it goes onto a business card and my website.

What I would like to learn is 1) how to get a logo that represents my style which is to be modern, fun and of quality; 2) how to deliver #1 in an advertisement.

What is the biggest challenge you have in growing your brand and what are your barriers in taking your brand to the next level?
My lack of knowledge and creativity feel like a big challenge to me. I have a logo and carry my theme on my website and my packaging but I have changed my focus a bit since I started and am now wondering if this logo will be able to grow with my business.

What do you feel you have done right or wrong in the past regarding branding?
I think I got a logo before I really had a solid idea about what my business was going to be so that’s what I did wrong. What did I do right? I feel I have at least been consistent with using it on my web presence as well as my packaging. The person who designed my logo did a great job and I have really loved it. It is only recently that I’ve been questioning whether it’s “right” for me.

In the coming months, what would you like Paul of SnapBrand to teach you about logos, branding and how you are viewed in the marketplace?
Gosh, I know next to nothing so anything Paul wants to share is gravy to me! Perhaps, what is the single-most important thing to consider with branding?

Wow! I am so excited about your new guest blogger! I tell you, this blog has been so helpful for me as I start out on a new career path. I am JSO out so my branding concerns/challenges are pretty broad/basic. What is “branding” as it pertains to a complete newbie ? How do I capture who I am and what I am about with branding? I need a really basic overview of all that should be considered when thinking about branding. Help!!!! Can’t wait to start learning more! Thanks for this awesome blog Jodi!

– My biggest challenge in my branding is my own indecisiveness and my multi-faceted target market (weddings, children, bands, and boudoir).
– I think in the beginning I did well in regards to my branding by staying true to one color scheme and “look” for (what I thought was) a long time. It was at a level where many people knew it was “me” based on my popular star icon as well. However, I got tired of it quickly, and those colors are popular with many female photographers (hot pink and black), as well as the star symbol. After that point, I’ve changed around fonts and colors many times, which I think wasn’t a smart idea.
– Even though I have an educational and professional background in graphic design, I remain unsuccessful at making a breakthrough on on my own branding. I would like Paul to really get a sense of my personality, and my work, and tell me what he thinks- because I’m open to advice! I currently consider myself as a modern, high-end photographer, and I think my simplistic font style and minimal branding conveys that, but I’m not sure:)

My biggest challenge is getting the marketing package together and updating my website.
Many photographers use their name in their logo/ business name. My work has that too, and the challenge is to make my look stand out enough so I’m a little different than the others. I presently have 2 logos. 1 that is great on my business cards and stationary and can head my website. I do not “love it” as a signature on my photos and might like one logo that can work for both.

The biggest challenge I have face and continue to face in terms of branding is where is the right place to start and grow and where is my investment going to have the biggest impact. I am working on correcting launching too soon and not staying with a consistent brand across the board from the beginning. I would like for Paul to share with us what he considers a great starting place with logos and branding. What are the most important items to use when branding and where is our time best well spent?

I would say finances have played a large part of the challenge in my branding efforts. And as far as what I would like to learn, I am open… I am sure through his inquiries he would know my needs. Thanks once again Jodi… you sure find great opportunities for us all!

I have a logo that I like and I paid someone to do it for me. However, do you have one logo and stick with it or is it okay to change? I want my logo/branding to be something that sticks in people’s mind. For example, Pepsi has billboards now that don’t say Pepsi but have the emblem for Pepsi. Everyone knows what it stands for w/o it saying Pepsi. I would love that! I want my logo to match my letterhead, my invoices, etc.

My biggest challange is deciding on how I want to brand myself. I have so many ideas and am afraid of choosing the wrong route. It’s actually keeping me from getting my website up ( for the last 8 months). I’d like to know what would you say is THE MOST important thing to pay attention to in terms of branding so that people can really indentify you and to put yourself above your competition?

I feel like I’m in the middle of a tug of war between wanting to spend my time shooting and post-processing and now I need to spend time on branding and I don’t have a clue how to handle that aspect of my photography business. I need some sort of guidance to help know what I’m looking for in a logo, one that I’ll be happy with for years and not get caught up in any thing that won’t last or will lose it’s effect. I’d love to get some tips to get me thinking in the right direction so I don’t make any major wrong decisions.

Biggest challenge: promoting the work that’s behind the name
Barriers: Deciding what my specialty truely will be, I know what I don’t want, but trying to decide what area to I really want.
Done right: Kept learning to improve my quality of pictures
Done wrong: Not promoted my “business”.
What I would like Paul/SnapBrand to do: Give me insight on branding and branding strategy,and perhaps a better business name and a good logo of course.

OH I so horribly need help with branding and a logo! I need a brand that can quickly identify and visually represent me, my company, and my style of photography. My biggest problems have been that I see something I like and I want to change my logo to something similar because I don’t have the cash flow to hire someone fabulous to design something specific for me. I am NOT a graphic designer and don’t know much about manipulating graphics. Please help!

The hardest thing for me is making sure your marketing materials are a good representative of you and your work. Its hard to pick the right thing, many people do all their own marketing design their own materials its a gift. I have a hard time just getting the right item ordered with the correct bleeds over the edge etc… It makes my head spin.

I am so excited you guys are talking about this. I am having trouble fully loving my logo I created.. It’s not awful but it doesn’t really say what I do. It is clean and simple which I like but it maybe to simple..

Here’s what I would like to know:
I would love to know what truly makes a great brand.
How do you get your brand to really reflect your style?
What are the do’s and absolute don’t s?

As a designer what do you want a client to bring to the table so you can deliver the absolute best logo for them?
thanks- jenae

This is one aspect of my business that I struggle with because I’m always wanting to tweak it and change it as my taste changes. Even after I have a logo I love I still find myself second guessing and wondering what another designer would do with my company branding. I guess my question is, how often can you change up your branding? Do little tweaks count?

I am just starting my business, so branding is all new to me. My biggest challenge is where to start. I am a very creative thinker but getting my ideas out on paper or the computer is sometimes difficult. There are also a lot of other ‘new’ photographers in my area and I am looking for tips on how to ‘break away’ from the norm. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks

I would say my biggest stuggle comes with creating a meaningfull business name that has not been used by others and assoicating a clean timeless image with it. Looking back investing in a professional logo should have been one of my first purcases. Thanks Paul I can’t wait to hear what you have to say. Rachel

My biggest challenge is that I am a creative person and trying to find the right logo that makes sense to me as a photographer and my personality. After creating a couple logos everything just looks like either too much or doesn’t fit with my long term goals as a photographer and artist. I need help to find that brand that will flow from print to advertising and all aspects of making my business me!

It was easy to grow into a style of photographer that I am cause it comes natural so it is hard for me to understand having so much trouble just to pick a logo. I feel that having Paul outside looking in at me will help guide me to that “perfect” logo that will put that stamp to my style and launch me to the next level.

I have been just stopped cold in my tracks not knowing what to use as a brand or just even the bottomline name. I see all of these portrait/wedding photographers that use their first/middle name and mine is not conducive to using as a brand. I am a very serious amateur at this point and I feel what I have done wrong is to have a cute-sy name. I would like to hear how you “size up” a person’s style/personality from the questionnaire. Also, does Paul feel that a lot of portrait/wedding photographers logos/brands are similar? How do you carry your brand consistently through all of your materials? And, what is acceptable in the industry. For example: I just had someone tell me that his designer wanted him to animate his logo and he was okay with that until a friend told him that his well-established/recognized company would never consider that! How do you know what is the industry standard. Finally, what can you do to insure that your logo/brand is not trendy, but will stand the test of time and be classic? Thanks so much!

Biggest challenge would be creativity. How to seperate yourself from the competition – What I need to get to the next is getting the word to out to the marketplace and I would like paul to teach me – how to make people feel like they need you.

The biggest challenges I have in growing my brand are probably very common; time and money. One thing I did wrong in the past was pay a graphic artist too much money for a logo I’m not happy with. I have a vision of the image I would like for my company, I just haven’t taken the steps to do something about it. I would love to have a professional eye create and perfect the dreams in my head.

Creating a brand that sets me apart from the rest has been a challenge. Especially since I’m just starting out and have virtually no income coming in yet, the money is not there for extra materials to create that “wow” impression. It would be great to learn what clients expect when they see a brand. I also suffer from lack of creativity.

My biggest challenge is knowing where to start. I have a Logo and that is it! Don’t know where to go from there. I would love to have a BRAND of my own. I’d like to get Paul’s opinion on the logo that I have. Find out if it is a good beginning. I guess I just need HELP with everything.

The biggest challenge I have is consistency. I have an OK logo that I created myself but I do not have any consistency across my products from my business card to my packaging material to my note/thank you cards to my stationary. Have a consistent brand identity is something that challenges me.

In the coming months I’d like to see Paul & SnapBrand teach us about how to use our logos, branding etc in advertising material in order to create a consistent and recognizable feel.

I have a very good idea of what I want in my logo, but I have not yet found the right representation of me. It’s hard to explain. I see a very simple representation to my logo, but feel that it needs that extra something to make it “me”. I would love to have an expert give it a go.

1. Biggest challenge: Several potential clients have assumed I do only children or infant photography because of my name. My preferred style is more edgy, and I’d like by brand to reflect that. I’d like to create a brand that un-infantasizes my business name.

2. What I’ve done right:I have done a lot of volunteer work with young people, those in the art community. This has helped tremendously with word-of-mouth marketing. I’ve created a rep as a high-end, high-tech, low volume photographer. What I’ve done wrong: I’ve fallen into the trap of “shoot and burn” for friends and coworkers on occasion.

3. What I’d like to learn about logos: What do colors convey? Are certain shapes more appealing than others? Is it wise to have more than one logo to market to different demographics?

My biggest challenge is really just how to get started. Answering ‘what is my brand?’, ‘what do I want it to say about me as a photographer?’, and especially ‘how do I make it adaptable to different areas of photography as I develop them?’. I am not sure about right/wrong, but the only thing I have done is create my own logo. I have changed it a few times but I keep wondering if I need to have one done for me. I would like Paul to teach about what the steps to branding yourself should be. What is the first step? Is branding adaptable if I change my photography focus? Thanks.

Well, I am just starting to establish my brand. My problem is that I want to have a “brand” but I am so new that I just can’t spend the money to have a more professional looking logo created. And then I wrestle with the question on whether spending the money would actually be a great investment that would pay off quickly.

My challenge is putting it all together. I know what I like but making that into something that works across the board for marketing, website, and everything else has been a challenge. What works? What makes it work? How do you make it evolve with you?

I’ve been actively researching, soliciting prices and narrowing the work from graphic designers down to my top 5 favorites with the intent to hire one later this spring, so the timing of this is perfect for me.

Graphic design (like photography, to a degree) is so subjective. My biggest dilemma in hiring a designer to completely rework my image is: do I give them samples of what I’m drawn to, what I like, show them examples? Or do I show them nothing, just trust their creativity, based on what I’ve seen of their work, to work their magic on my image — and then hope that I love their image of me as much as I admire the image they’ve made of other clients? I can see how it would be counterproductive for me not to share some basics, but when a client comes to me with “I have this photo to show you that I’d like you to recreate…” I get a powerful internal cringe. It’s impossible work.

I’m also very confused that most designers charge more for revisions — in some ways, it makes me think that it’s actually in their best interest NOT to show me their best work the first showing, because then they’ll earn more money. I totally understand that some clients can be unreasonable and this is just the designer’s protection from that, but I’m reasonable and honest and can’t shake the feeling that I could end up paying in money and time for others who are not so much, or for designers who don’t wholeheartedly put forth their very best work. ?

My biggest challenge is simply not knowing what I can do to most effectively get my brand to the potential clients I would like to target. I could really use some advice about this from someone like Paul! I think my only barrier is my own lack of knowledge.

I feel I am finally starting to know who I am and what kind of message I would like to send about me as a photographer. I’d love advice about how to show potential clients a fresh and contemporary image through effective branding.

I’m eager to hear anything Paul feels is valuable for us. In his position, I’m sure he’s seen lots of rights and wrongs, and can give us advice on how we can make good choices without having to learn from our mistakes every single time.

I’m an emerging professional, so the whole business process is a challenge to me. I have a logo, but still dont think it truly represents me. However, I keep procrastinating because being an emerging (and also a single mom) also means I’m really tight on budget.

So even to get insite from a design professional would be a big help in determining the direction to go from there.

The biggest barriers, for me, have been that being relatively new to the business it’s very hard to create and grow your brand when you haven’t even found your style quite yet. I feel that I have been consistent with the look and feel of my brand. I would like to learn more about growing your brand after you have created it.

My challenge is consistency and finding a brand that works well. I haven’t done much so far in branding, which is probably what I have done wrong. I would like to know what is necessary and what will set someone apart and how to go about getting that done.

The biggest challenge for me, truthfully, is that I am not sure what all does branding entail? What exactly does branding mean? I have a logo that is on my website, but it doesn’t really go beyond that and I have no idea what to do to extend that. What I have done wrong is to never hire someone that is a professional in this arena who really can help me with expressing who I am and what I love to do! That is why I need HELP!!!

Oh how I would love to win this so badly! The biggest challenge I face is being brand new at this and coming up with a brand that is perfect for me, and says who I am. I came up with one myself that really isn’t great, but have to “save up” for a real brand/logo. Unless I win this!!
I probably haven’t done anything right at this point, I am happy I came up with a business name I like and a temporary logo that I can have for now.
I would LOVE to learn anything Paul has to share about branding and logos and how to be seen in the marketplace.
I look forward to hopefully winning this, and being able to learn a ton and get a great logo!! Thanks

The biggest challenge for me at this point is just getting my name out there. I am JUST starting out doing this professionally. My web site launched last week. I have a lot of improving to do with my branding. I need a more professional logo. I just made a simple and basic one myself in order to get something up, but I know it needs work. I would love Paul’s input as to what a memorable and catchy logo would be for me.

I want the logo, the website, the packaging – all of it to encompass one look and feel. I want it to be fun but more important professional and really reflect my personality. PLEASE, oh, Please let this time be my random #!!! thanks so much!

Branding has not seemed to be all that difficult because I have always tried to keep things simple. My obstacle lies in creating the publications. I would love a tutorial on how to create a header for blogger that looks great and has some transition pictures within it. Can he help with this?

I have so many ideas in my head of what I want my branding to look like- its getting them down on paper that I struggle with. I struggle with keeping it simple but at the same time making it standout and represent me. I am very happy with how I have mantained my brand throughout everything I do- from my logo, to color scheme, even my packaging and press products. I would love to be educated on how to represent myself and my style of work through my brand. How to create a lasting brand that will truely represent me. Thank you!

The biggest challenge for me is deciding who exactly I am as a photographer and then finding out how to get that across to clients. Currently I haven’t done anything in regards to branding, other than looking at other people’s brands, doing some soulsearching, and looking into branding companies. I would love to learn anything and everything Paul has to share!

Ok, so the hardest part for me is just to find out what is special about me. What is the think I am better than everyone else around here. And if someone tells me something, I won’t believe it. I am not a full photographer right now (as I am still finishing my school first) but I still think about that whole think alot, because it is just so important. If paul could give us some tips on how to brand yourself/your business and combine it with a great logo, that would be so great.

My biggest challenge with branding – everything. Picking colors that will work with all aspects of my business as well as working together; a logo that does the same, working it all out to the various pieces which by that time, I’m mentally drained. I’m just not that talented. I can do the photo side, but the rest of it leaves me frustrated.

My biggest challenge is that I am just starting out and do not even know where to begin with branding. I am eagerly looking forward to your posts and can not wait to see what all your snapbrand company has to offer.

My biggest challenge in “grouwing my brand and taking it to the next level” is that I’m flat out scared. I don’t want to be much busier than I am! I love taking pictures, but I haven’t figured out how to use my time wisely. I think that word of mouth is the best advertisement for me, but if I can’t keep up with the demand, then that’s not good advertisement either. My barriers are knowing what aspects to give up. What I’ve done right is to find a look that reflects me. I love bright colors, my logo is bright colors. And I’m not real sure I’m so comfortable with MY N AME being my business name. I’d love to have something cuter . . . . what do you think of that????

Being a photographer is in its own sense a creative talent. We can take a seemingly ordinary object or situation and make it interesting and full of life. So it is funny to me when I sit down and try to create the essence of who my business is and what I want to portray in that colorful space that any and all creativity goes right out the window. Simply put, I suddenly am at a loss of which direction to go. A brand should say everything about you and who you are as an artist in a bold yet simple and understated way. As I look to other photographers and other venues within the wedding circuit I see things that fit their personality (as it should) or I see a lot of the same thing depending on what the latest craze is. What your brand says about you is one of the most crucial elements of your business in my opinion. It should show how creative you are and how you plan to set your business apart from everyone. Your business should be fun and different.

So, my soap box aside- the biggest challenge for me (pathetically enough) is a beginning. I don’t know where to start and the barriers are endless when you don’t have a direction in the ocean of life my friend… simply endless! I might even should try asking Wilson’s opinion soon!

Settling on the most basic is probably both right and wrong for me. Right because I have a starting place but wrong because I am still sitting at the starting place as I watch everyone racing ahead of me. I am trying to find that look that is aesthetically pleasing and tempting. The look that even if you have chosen a photographer you are still curious to see what I am about.

I would love for Paul to show those of us with a creative eye for everyone else but ourselves how to find the brand that is perfect and says everything it needs to beautifully.

Having been in Sales my whole life, I definitely understand the importance of branding. I honestly think photographers that are branded are so much more professional than ones who are not. You know what to expect. My problem is that it costs so much and I don’t know what my style is to “brand”. I would love any creative expertise regarding what catches someone’s attention, what is important and what is not in branding and how to keep it simple but still have a grand impact. Great contest!

My biggest challenge is education. I feel I’m trying to do something on my own that I have no experience or education in doing. I don’t know how to focus in. I like so many different things, and don’t know how to develop my own style. I can look at other’s branding and know I love it or not, but I can’t seem to develop my own. I don’t want to copy…I want something uniquely, my own!!

Well, my business is new, so my biggest challenge is really figuring out where to begin and where my money is best spent. I feel like the one thing I’ve done right is listened to photographers who have awesome branding. I would love to hear about working branding into marketing and what are proven techniques, also how to best put your name out there in the marketplace. Thanks for this!

My biggest challenge is just figuring out exactly where to start! I am so nervous about doing the wrong things up front and then never being able to ‘re-do’ what’s been done! I would love to hear more about what works and how to get my name out there and be unique and original.

I’m just starting out and so, the biggest challenge for me has been to even pay attention to my brand or even think of myself as ‘brand-worthy.’

What have I done right? Realize recently that I need to create a brand if I want to be in for the long haul. Done wrong? Not paid attention from the beginning and still not giving it enough time.

Logos – I’d love a cheat sheet of tips on creating a logo or how to choose a logo. Like, keep it simple (assuming that might be one!) Branding in general, I’d love just about anything on it. It’s new to me and something I haven’t dived into yet!

My biggest branding challenge is that I don’t have one. I want something universally appealing and most importantly something that reflects me. I want something clean, sleek, unique and professional. It is easy to know what I want – the difficulty is the “how”.

Like has been said before, my biggest challenge is where to start. I am just starting out and a little overwhelmed by what having a business and marketing means. I would love any help you have with where to start and how to make decisions that will make my brand stand out and become identifiable.

My biggest issue with branding is finding something unique. I want something simple, easily recognizable and it seems each step I do, someone else in my market quickly makes something so similar that my look no longer stands out. Since I do basic graphic design – graphic designers are a dime a dozen. And anyone with Photoshop can make a copycat version of what I create.

With my personal site, I recently redid it and took down a photo in my header. My readers objected. I quickly put the ‘cup picture’ back in. So even if I never associated that (poorly shot iphone pic!) with my look or brand – others did. A clear mistake in my perception of my own site.

Paul – Any tips about branding would be worth reading. How long to you anticipate a logo lasting? Even major brands like Pepsi have updated along the years, while Nike has stayed the same (a $35 creation, at that!!). At what point is changing a logo considered ‘staying relevant’ and when it is ‘brand suicide’?

My challenges are… that I don’t have a brand. My barriers are that I don’t know where to start. I am very unsure. I have had the business for 2 years and still can’t find what I should be doing.
I would love for Paul to teach me where to start and grow. I want to feel good about what I am putting out there for the public.
Thank you for letting me have a chance to win such an invaluable prize!

Hi Paul! My biggest challenge in growing my brand is also my biggest barrier in taking my brand to the next level. It’s that I’m afraid to pick anything definitive because I’m concerned that logos and styles change so much that a logo and colors I choose today may look very dated two years from now. I want to find something that is classic, but with obvious fresh style. As far as mistakes I’ve made and am still making. I have twice now settled on a logo/brand before really getting to know my company. Once I’m in it to win it, I realize my logo doesn’t represent me and I’ve already blown my cash so I have to stick with it. I would like to know unique and fun/interesting ways to guerilla market myself and I’d like to know more about social networking using my brand. This questionnaire actually helped me nail down some thoughts! Thanks!

My branding is a reflection of me — something I love and even something I love to photograph — but I’m not sure it has translated well to my photography BUSINESS, which is shooting something altogether different. I also fear that it may be a bit too girlie, though with all the swirls and sparkles and swooshes in so many other photographer’s logos, it’s kind of silly. Perhaps I just need something more arty or graphic — I feel like it’s just not quite there…

Gosh, where do I start? My branding is a mess. My photography career was launched way too quickly – I had people asking to book me (I was pbing but on my kids only) because they were seeing images my sisters kept of my kids at their workplace. I am a self taught graphic designer (scary I know) and so I threw together a logo and website to showcase my work so I’d look more professional. I had a clothing line called Little Britches and since I wanted to specialize in kids/families, I kept the name for my photog biz. Now, 2 yrs later, I realize how limiting my name is (would a senior want to go to Little Britches Photography for their senior pics, which I LOVE doing) and my logo/branding needs to be redone. Do I keep Little Britches and create a new brand name for seniors/adults or create something that can encompass both? I definitely want to target a higher end market so I need to be sure I’m doing that with my branding.

I’m new to this marketing and branding but currently my biggest challenge is getting bored! I feel like it’s all been done before. I like to change things up a bit and I’m constantly evolving and my branding should too but how does one keep consistency but also keeping it fresh and new? I feel like I can nail down my online presence but when it comes to actual materials, in actual hands is where I loose all my creativity. Paul help us out!! Share with us on how to turn our styles and creativity into a brand that truly reflects what we want to show! Even if I don’t win, I am really really looking forward to want Paul has to share!!!!
Thanks Jodi for having such AWESOME guest speakers/bloggers/Interviews!

The biggest challenge I have had is just knowing what to do and where to start. I would love to know the basics of branding from the beginning and where to go from there. Another challenge is that I have no $$ to pay someone to help me out with my branding or logo. Anything that Paul wants to share that he knows is important I would love to hear!!

i feel like i have a good idea of what i want as far as branding goes… but it’s difficult in understanding the resolution and file types best for all the different purposes- jpeg, tiff, png, etc. for -web, print, etc.

I am just starting out on my Photography Business adventure! I have no Logo or Brand, so everything Paul can teach me would be great, as I have no idea where to even start. I would like to have a simple, yet memorable logo that catches peoples eyes. I look forward to all the information Paul will be sharing!

The next step for us is determining what our brand is beyond our logo. We designed it ourselves and like it, but what then? We’ve just started in the past year or so and haven’t really come up with a brand that we can articulate in words.

What is the biggest challenge you have in growing your brand and what are your barriers in taking your brand to the next level?
I really feel that time management is my biggest barrier to my overall success and as far as branding and marketing, that I don’t take enough time and effort to develop this area. Half the time I’m chasing my tail.
What do you feel you have done right or wrong in the past regarding branding?
Right: Hired a professional to assist in my logo design.
Wrong: Not having a strategy.
In the coming months, what would you like Paul of SnapBrand to teach you about logos, branding and how you are viewed in the marketplace?
Oh simple. Everything!

The challenge for me at the moment is coming up with a brand that stands out from the crowd but doesn’t over power my photography. Something that fits my lifestyle and workstyle and doesn’t feel run of the mill.

Choosing a good name for my new efforts is something i feel I’ve done right. Fourteen Fifths, for me is catchy enough that people will remember it and abstract enough that it doesn’t pigeon hole my work. In the past I think I’ve flip flop between too many different brands/names and chosen names that have pigeon holed my work.

I’d like to see some thoughts on creating the complete package, using the brand to compliment the photography and showcase it in the best light and not overpower it.

My biggest challenge is definitely a lack of creativity! I know what I like when I see it, but coming up with it on my own is incredibly difficult. However, this business is a new thing, so the expense of a professionally designed logo is a bit out of reach at the moment. I don’t know that there is much I have done right in regards to branding myself! But there is plenty I have done wrong. Mostly, I think just changing things too often because I am never really happy with what I come up with. I would really like to learn the key features that make a good logo/branding that people will remember, and what marketing tools are best to get your name out there and recognizable. Thanks!

It is a challenge deciding if I should focus on one part of photography or to keep doing different areas. I have wanted something fun, but also professional…I don’t always go the right way. I would like to learn more about branding so you represent yourself in a professional way.

What a great topic! I admire an eye-catchy logo and sometimes it’s the most simple ones that stand out like {b}. I would like to know the baby steps for someone who is at the beginning stages of considering branding. Where do you even start? Do you have some simple questions to help narrow down that process of determining your brand. Thanks, for your consideration.

My biggest barrier? Being confident enough to start…I’m discouraged that I won’t have the funds to develop a decent “stand apart” brand/logo. I also believe that even with all of my research, I may not fully understand how much influence a powerful brand and logo can possess in the marketplace. So, in a nutshell, I would like Paul to address how to be confident in the branding you choose and how to effectively implement it in the various avenues that may be obvious and not-so obvious. Thanks

My biggest challenge for me is with a 3 year old taking the time I need to do the soul searching to come up with goals. Having the confidence to accept what my inner soul is telling me. Lastly, to know what visual qualifier of a brand with depict that to others.

A lack of money is really hindering my attempt at branding right now. Specifically, the whole logo issue is really frustrating me (being I can’t seem to get one that I feel truly represents me and my business).

As far as learning: I am completely open since I really know a whole lot o’nothing when it comes to this stuff. Anything would be helpful to me.

The biggest challenge I have in growing my brand is I feel I have an identity crisis. What I like visually is not necessarily what I want my brand to stand for. Until I can create a logo that properly identifies me and my brand, I can not take brand to the next level.

In the past, I have chosen logos that were more appealing to me visually, which can also be a good thing. I am at a point where my brand needs to reflect my personality, which is one of my greatest attributes. I do think I have tried to keep my brand industry specific not to confuse my clients, which is a good thing.

I would like Paul to teach us how to find and identify our own unique brand. Additionally, some direction on how color and fonts dictate how our brands are viewed in the marketplace. Do we need to be conforming to everything else in the marketplace?